Bonnie Barker Lorenz, age 92, was born on January 19, 1929 in Calloway, Kentucky to Frank and Mary Barker; the oldest of 6 children. The family later moved to the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado. She passed away on February 7, 2021 in Greeley, outliving all her siblings. Bonnie was a member of the Loveland Seventh-day Adventist church. She attended Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado where she made life-long friends. She then attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Bonne married Calvin Lorenz in 1953 in Denver Colorado and they had four children. Bonnie was a natural caregiver, using her gifts to work as a nurse in Greeley for more than forty years.
Bonnie’s life as one dear person writes:
“Lifetime Friendships are irreplaceable treasures ... Seldom matched by other life experiences.
These kinds of friendships seem to be few and far between in the span of one's life.
Bonnie graced my life from the time I was a very little girl.
--She was my Mother's friend and nursing colleague; but much more than that. Yes, they worked together, they played together, but most importantly they emulated what true friendship IS.
Bonnie was generous of spirit, humble and unassuming, fun-loving, and ready to do her part in any situation.
One such "situation" for my mother and myself was when my father, stricken by lung cancer, laid dying in the hospital. Bonnie was there, there through it all by our sides and ; staying when we needed to take a break and rest from the grueling process of Dad's passing. Who does THAT other than a true friend whose empathy and ability to truly FEEL, inside herself, the emotions you were dealing with and strongly yet quietly share the time of that moment fully with you?
And so, I want to share my love and thanks to this beautiful spirit who emulated the character of Jesus Christ in every manner. Quietly she went about her life giving 150% to those sharing her world. For us, we shared: gardening experiences, vegetable and fruit canning experiences, vacations of a lifetime, graduation and birthday celebrations, occasional lunches and dinners "just because", gigantic laughs and oceans of tears while we all were moving forward through each of our lives. She was always ready to be the friend you needed.
WHETHER BONNIE WANTED IT OR NOT, she cultivated my deep love for her. She is my second Mom. She brought me joy and a sense of connectedness and safety which had exited upon the passing of my parents. [As an only child, this has been HUGE in my life]
WHETHER BONNIE INTENDED TO OR NOT, she showed me Christ through her being, spirit, and actions. [not just me/us, but to ALL individuals in which we witnessed her interactions.]
There are not enough meaningful WORDS to describe this HERO, not enough TIME to share with you the breadth of all of her attributes, not enough PRAISE available to heap upon her well deserving person.
The GOODNESS in her could not help but reveal itself!
Bonnie, I LOVE you, we LOVE you, and we all will MISS you terribly!”
Bonnie no doubt displayed this type of character to everyone she had in her life. All could agree this is one remarkable example of friendship, serving, loving and compassion for all.
After retiring, Bonnie was not the type to sit and relax. She spent her time gardening, shopping garage sales for bargains, canning and freezing fruits and vegetables that would be shared with others. Her yard was full of beautiful flowers every summer. She also enjoyed drives through Rocky Mountain National Park marveling at the scenery and wildlife. Bonnie traveled through Europe, South America, Central America, Canada, Mexico and forty-nine of the fifty United States. Alaska was the only state she did not visit, but she always had a passion to cruise there. Bonnie collected souvenirs from all her travels and displayed them throughout her house.
The long hot summers kept her busy tending to her beautiful, fragrant rose garden. She loved cutting the roses and sharing them with others. Frequently she would call her friends and say, “I have some roses for you.” She stayed active after retirement by working parttime at a local green house during the spring and summer months where she mastered her gardening skills.
Bonnie enjoyed gatherings with family and friends. She hosted the annual birthday waffle breakfast in April for all the April birthdays of friends and family. She enjoyed cooking meals and playing games at her house with friends from church monthly. She was known to cook a meal for a sick friend and drive 30 miles to her special friends to share the meal. Bonnie always had a smile on her face and enjoyed her family and friends when they came to visit.
One of the most meaningful periods in Bonnie’s retirement was having two of her sisters living in Greeley and her father and his wife living next door. They gathered nightly for dinner at Bonnie’s table for food and games. Family was special to Bonnie and she shared a close kinship with her beloved sisters.
Barker family reunions were always an event Bonnie looked forward to. She tried to attend every family reunion throughout the years. The highlight of the Barker reunions was the Sunday morning biscuits and gravy meal. A Barker tradition handed down through the generations.
Bonnie is predeceased by her son Terry Lorenz. She is survived by daughter Wanda Buderus, son Ted Lorenz and daughter Jan (Chris) Nickerson, granddaughters Kelly Lorenz, Ashley (Michael) Blasy, Kaylin Nickerson, Madelyn Nickerson, and two great grandchildren.
Memorial service will be held on February 28, 2021 at 1:00 pm at the Greeley Seventh day Adventist Church, livestream on YouTube Greeley SDA. The family suggests memorial contributions may be sent to Union College, Advancement Office, 3800 S. 48th Street, Lincoln, NE 68506 in honor of Bonnie Lorenz to support nursing scholarships.
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